Twins 29-29, All Square & Ready To Go On A Tear

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Sat Jul 28, 2007 9:35 pm

Okay, for starters, KC won't pass the Twins. Just won't happen.

In the last two series, for as bad as MN has been doing, Detroit, Cleveland, the Yankees and Seatle have all been dropping a few too. You only fall farther behind if you lose and others win, which hasn't been happening. We're not coming back yet, but we're also not out of sight.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:07 am

Probably have to go 42-17 the rest of the way.
Go Twins!

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:30 pm

Make that 41-17.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:32 pm

grindiangrad-80 wrote:Make that 41-17.

Now your on the hook to do the rest of the countdown.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 3:33 pm

Will do.
Go Twins.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:02 pm

Neutron 14 wrote:
grindiangrad-80 wrote:Make that 41-17.
Now your on the hook to do the rest of the countdown.

Let's see here.... 41-17, that's +24, now add that to their current +2 and that gives them a +26 for the year, +26 would be 94-68. They don't need that many wins, 92 will easily bring home the WC bacon if not less.

Let's amend that 41-17 to 39-19.

39-19 is possible, go get them Royals, boblee where's the thread?

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:31 pm

Wildcard Leaderboard

Cleveland +15
------cut line---------
Seattle +11
New York +7
Twins +2
Toronto E

New York's currently in a stretch of 29 games vs. sub .500 teams, however, August gets tough.
8 with DET
3 @LAA
3 @CLE
3 @TOR
3 with BOS

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:57 am

They just keep us hangin on.

All this talk about the Twins trading guys is real nonsense. They have a young core group that they need to keep together and add to.

Ceveland wasnt even .500 last year.

The Twins are a young team that can get a lot better. They have had a rash of injuries this year and some "off year" performances.

If they had the same record as last year, they would be in first place.

Add to this team, dont subtract.

The wild card is, as they say, "Up for Grabs" , copyright slapshooter.

Lets grab it.

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:38 am

Really a good series this weekend at Cleveland. Johan came through on Saturday with the kind of game the Twins needed from him, which he had not done the last two times out. He turned it up a notch and that seems to have sparked the team as yesterday Garza pitched superbly.

The Twins also came through with some clutch two out hits to beat one of the best pitchers in baseball right now who had dominated them for most of the game. Tyner had a really good series, getting his first ML homer on Saturday and looking more comfortable against Sabathia than either Mauer or Morneau. To his credit Morneau did a great job going the other way twice against Sabathia, taking what the defense gave him.

They need to keep it going against KC, as others have pointed out the Royals will not be a pushover. The tendency for this team has been to drop off after a good series win and KC will take the series if the Twins do that this time. Last year didn't the Twins get a big four game sweep in KC?

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:37 pm

I concur with PB. No need for a trade right now as there isn't anything available that 1) helps now 2) helps next year.

This team has hung in there without the middle of the order all playing together for an extended amount of time. Morneau, Mauer, and now Cuddyer have been absent as well as Hunter playing through some injuries himself.

What really has me excited about the next two months and into next year is the development of Baker and Garza. They will still look bad every once in a while but if you notice there good/great outings are associated with 6-7 zeros and double digit K's.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:11 pm

Agree. We wanted them to start the season but first we had to see just how bad Ponson and Ortiz were.

Garza and Baker both show a lot of promise.

Bonser has been dissapointing but that could be a result of some unreasonable expectations.

In years passed I advocated a trade of pitching prospects for a bona fide power hitter. I would not want to do that this year because I dont think they are close enough.

They need to add offense by way of free agency.

Reusse has openly scoffed at the "we need just one htter" crowd but I am still a member.

I think that a Frank Thomas or Soriano would have totally changed this team and way beyond just the stats. As IS points out, they havent been healthy. If Big Hurt or Alfonso was in the lineup, it would be a big deal and would be more interesting down the stretch.

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:46 pm

Breaking news is that the Twins are looking to move Luis Castillo to the Mets for two minor league prospects. From what I can tell the players they'd be getting are a good defense/weak bat catching prospect and an outfielder with a good bat.

I really like Castillo and think this will hurt this year's team but for an organization that seems to be short on prospects that aren't pitchers, this might not be a bad longterm move. Trouble is, who bats leadoff now?

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:04 pm

Bartlett is the only option.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:24 pm

Irishmans Shanty wrote:
Neutron 14 wrote:
grindiangrad-80 wrote:Make that 41-17.
Now your on the hook to do the rest of the countdown.
Let's see here.... 41-17, that's +24, now add that to their current +2 and that gives them a +26 for the year, +26 would be 94-68. They don't need that many wins, 92 will easily bring home the WC bacon if not less.

Let's amend that 41-17 to 39-19.

39-19 is possible, go get them Royals, boblee where's the thread?

That sounds good to me IS.
It would be nice if 92 would do it.
Go Twins.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:37 pm

Make that 38-19.
Go Twins.

HShockeywatcher · Post by **HShockeywatcher** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:43 pm

Or Tyner. Someone in another thread said we should get rid of him and he scored two of the runs tonight and went 3 for 4. Also our 3rd best hitter, Hmmm...

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:26 am

7/28 Twins 3, CLE 2
7/29 Twins 4, CLE 1
7/30 Twins 3, CLE 1

Has work started on the project to get the Twins back into contention or is this just a mini burst to be followed by a couple of loses?

My, my Baker might be coming of age at a the right time. Castillo being moved opens the door for someone else, maybe the person who wants the role is Tyner.

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:29 am

The season norm has been the mini burst followed by the mini bust. Time to smash the norm and pound out some wins!

Tyner batted leadoff last night. He has some of the tools for the role, but ideally he's a no.2 guy. He doesn't walk much but he is a good contact hitter with the speed to stay out of the double play. He had a good game last night and if he wants to take the leadoff role and run with it, kudos to him. If Kubel and/or White don't pick it up it looks like Tyner will either be the regular left fielder or DH when Cuddyer returns.

How has the Buscher kid looked at the plate? I only saw bits and pieces of last night's game so I didn't see him bat but he's had success hitting in the minors. If he can step in and add some punch to the lineup that would be huge as Punto has the glove to replace Castillo at 2nd and I can tolerate a .211 average from a 2nd baseman.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:12 am

C'mon Terry, less than 4 hours left. Sosa? Piazza? You gotta do something. We can't stand pat. We need a Shannon Stewart type pick-up. MOVE!

Govs93 · Post by **Govs93** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:16 am

Neutron 14 wrote:C'mon Terry, less than 4 hours left. Sosa? Piazza? You gotta do something. We can't stand pat. We need a Shannon Stewart type pick-up. MOVE!

He'll stand pat...

They made it sound like he may try something before the August deadline though.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:53 pm

I dont get it. Why trade Castillo for prospects? They are only 6 games out of a playoff spot.

How does that help the team play in October?

Actually, I have mixed emotions. I couldnt stand watching that guy hit. I had to cover my son's eyes whenever Castillo came up to the plate.

But he was effective. This offense cannot afford any subtractions. It needs addittions.

See last night for example. Nice to win but the offense is very limited.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:04 pm

Tick, tick, tick...

Hey Terry, you say your not giving up on this season? Prove it!

Govs93 · Post by **Govs93** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:22 pm

Neutron 14 wrote:Tick, tick, tick...

Hey Terry, you say your not giving up on this season? Prove it!

I just read something about them trying to swing a deal for Matt Stairs.

Not the sexiest move if they do it, but it's another Twins killer out of the way, and a guy who can get Rondell the hell out of the DH spot every few days.

That, and he looks like a fat "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, so that's cool.

grindiangrad-80 · Post by **grindiangrad-80** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:46 pm

Make that 37-19.
Go Twins.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:28 am

7/28 Twins 3, CLE 2
7/29 Twins 4, CLE 1
7/30 Twins 3, KC 1
7/31 Twins 5, KC 3

The Twins continue to work themselves back into contention.